Moving out of a rental property requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth transition and the return of your deposit. This article provides a concise checklist to guide you through the process, focusing on key steps like packing, cleaning, and conducting a final inspection with your landlord.
Whether you’re vacating a house, unit, or caravan, our tips will help you leave your rental in top condition and maintain a positive relationship with your landlord. Let’s explore these essential steps for a hassle-free move.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Essential steps for a smooth rental property exit: Notice, cleaning, and final inspection.
- Key checklists for moving out: Administrative updates, service disconnections, and packing.
- Strategies for bond recovery and addressing leftover goods.
- Practical tips for efficient moving logistics and transport planning.
Moving Out Checklist for Renters
To make this process smoother and more manageable, it’s important to stay organized and prepared. The checklist below is designed to guide you through each crucial step, ensuring nothing gets overlooked.
| Category | Checklist Items |
|---|---|
| Notice | – Intention to leave notice to landlord |
| – Check lease for notice period | |
| Condition Report | – Review and compare initial report |
| – Document repairs and damages | |
| Cleaning and Maintenance | – Clean all areas (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) |
| – Outdoor maintenance | |
| Administrative Updates | – Update address with necessary services |
| – Redirect mail through Australia Post | |
| Service Disconnections | – Disconnect/transfer utilities |
| – Notify subscription and membership services | |
| Finalizing Rental Accounts | – Pay outstanding bills |
| – Complete Exit condition report | |
| Packing and Organizing | – Gather packing supplies |
| – Label boxes and declutter | |
| Transport Logistics | – Decide on DIY or professional movers |
| – Arrange transport and helpers |
With a little planning and attention to detail, you can make your move stress-free and leave your rental in great condition. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to prepare for as you get ready to move out.
Preparing to Move Out
Notice of Intention to Leave
When preparing to move out of a rental property, it’s essential to provide your property manager or landlord with a notice of intention to leave.
In most cases, this notice period is specified in your lease, so ensure you check the length of the notice period required by your agreement.
Example Notice Periods:
- 14 days for periodic (month-to-month) leases
- 30 days for fixed-term leases
Keep in mind that giving notice too late may result in additional rent payments or penalties.
Condition Report Review and Repairs
Before moving out, review your initial condition report and compare it to the current state of the property. This is crucial for avoiding disputes and ensuring the return of your bond. List any necessary repairs and damages caused during your tenancy.
Tips for a Smooth Condition Report Review:
- Take detailed before and after photos to have visual evidence.
- Inform your property manager or landlord of any urgent repairs.
- Complete minor repairs if you’re capable, or seek professional help for more significant issues.
Remember that some wear and tear are expected, but excessive damage may result in deductions from your bond.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Thoroughly clean your rental property from top to bottom to leave it in the best possible condition. This will not only help secure the return of your bond, but also reflect well on you as a tenant.
For detailed guidelines on effective move out cleaning, you can find valuable tips and strategies.
Cleaning Checklist:
- Kitchen: Clean appliances, cabinets, countertops, sinks, and floors.
- Bathroom: Scrub tiles, sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs.
- Living Areas and Bedrooms: Vacuum and mop floors, dust surfaces and blinds, and clean windows.
- Outdoors: Mow the lawn, trim hedges, and sweep outdoor areas.
Consider enlisting the help of professional cleaners to ensure everything is spotless and to alleviate some of the stress associated with moving out.
Make sure to keep all cleaning receipts as proof of your effort to maintain the property in good condition.
Administrative Checklist
Address Updates
When moving out of a rental property, it’s essential to update your address with various organisations, including your bank, Australia Post, driver’s licence, vehicle registration, Centrelink, Medicare, and insurance providers. Here’s a quick list to help you keep track:
- Bank
- Australia Post
- Driver’s licence
- Vehicle registration
- Centrelink
- Medicare
- Insurance providers
To make this process simpler, Australia Post offers a mail redirection service that can forward your mail to your new address, ensuring you don’t miss any important mail while updating your address with the relevant organisations.
Service Disconnections
Before moving out, it’s crucial to arrange for the disconnection or transfer of utilities like electricity, gas, water, and internet at the rental property. Don’t forget to notify any subscription services, gym memberships, and other memberships that you’re moving as well.
It’s a good idea to compile a list of services you’re subscribed to and contact them at least two weeks before moving out to arrange for service disconnections or transfers. Some examples to start with:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Internet
- Subscription services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
- Gym memberships
At the same time, you can also start setting up utilities in your new spot using Soho For Renters, which helps you connect everything from internet to water and electricity, all with one phone call.
Finalising Rental Accounts
It’s important to finalise your rental accounts before leaving the property. Review your rental agreement to understand your responsibilities regarding vacating the property, required notice periods, and specific tasks you need to complete before your departure.
Make sure to pay any remaining rent or outstanding bills, return all keys and access cards to the property manager or owner, and provide them with a forwarding address.
Finally, complete an Exit condition report (Form 14a) and take photos as evidence of the property’s condition when you leave.
Applying for a bond refund is made easier by reaching an agreement with your property manager or owner on the bond amount and using the RTA’s Bond Refund Web Service to expedite the process.
Packing and Organising Your Move
Packing Strategies
When you’re preparing to move out of a rental property, it’s important to have a solid packing strategy in place to ensure your belongings are protected and easy to transport.
Start by gathering all the necessary packing supplies, such as boxes of various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper.
To pack efficiently, organise your items into categories, such as kitchenware, clothing, and electronics, to make the unpacking process easier.
Make sure to label your boxes clearly with their contents and the room they belong in. As you pack, consider decluttering and donating items you no longer need. Wrap fragile items individually with bubble wrap or packing paper to protect them during the move.
Create a packing schedule to avoid last-minute hassle. Begin packing items you rarely use first and move on to frequently used items as you get closer to the moving date.
You might create a checklist to ensure all your belongings are accounted for and packed.
Logistics and Transport
Planning the transportation for your move is crucial to ensure a smooth moving experience. Some key factors to consider include the size of the moving truck, the distance to be travelled, and the assistance required from friends or professional movers.
First, determine whether you should hire a professional moving company or enlist the help of friends and family. For longer distances or larger moves, hiring professionals may be more practical and cost-effective.
Be sure to compare quotes from various removalists to find one that fits your budget and needs.
If you opt for a DIY move, carefully measure your furniture and large items to select the right size of rental truck. Keep in mind that larger trucks are usually more difficult to maneuver, so plan for adequate parking and access at both your old and new homes.
Finally, book your transport well in advance and inform all helpers of the date and time. This will ensure a smooth moving process on the big day. Make sure to have a moving day checklist with essential tasks like disconnecting utilities, taking meter readings, and returning keys at the rental property.
No matter which option you choose, early preparation, smart packing strategies, and careful organising are key to ensuring a smooth moving experience from your rental property.
After the Move
Exit Condition Report
Once you’ve moved out of the rental property, it’s important to complete an Exit Condition Report. This report should document the property and all its contents’ condition upon your departure. To make this process easier, compare it with the initial Condition Report you received when you first moved in.
List any damages, general wear and tear, and any improvements made during your tenancy, if applicable. It’s always a good idea to take photos as evidence to support your report.
This will help you avoid any disputes with your landlord or real estate agent when recovering your bond. Remember, general wear and tear is expected, but any significant damages could lead to repair charges.
Recovering Your Bond
To get your bond back, you need to ensure that you’ve met all your obligations as a tenant. These may include:
- Paying all rent outstanding
- Leaving the property clean and free from damage
- Removing all your belongings
If there aren’t any outstanding issues, your landlord or real estate agent should return your bond within a reasonable timeframe. If there are any deductions to be made, they’ll need to provide you with a statement outlining these charges.
It’s crucial to review the statement and ensure that all the charges are fair, taking account of normal wear and tear. If you disagree with any deductions, you can apply for a bond dispute through your relevant state tenancy authority.
Dealing with Leftover Goods
During the process of moving out, it’s not uncommon for tenants to leave some goods behind unintentionally. If this happens, your landlord or real estate agent will usually notify you, giving you the opportunity to collect your belongings.
However, if the items are deemed as abandoned, your landlord may have the right to dispose of them according to local regulations. To avoid this, ensure that you’ve double-checked every room, closet, and storage area before finalising your move.
This will not only prevent any potential issues, but it will also save you from going through the stress of tracking down misplaced items later.
By following these steps and documenting everything properly, you can ensure a smooth transition out of your rental property. Good luck with the next chapter of your housing journey!
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Deep Dive: Avoid common pitfalls when giving a notice of intention to leave. Check out our guide to stay well-informed.
FAQ Section on ‘Moving Out of a Rental Checklist’
Do tenants have to clean outside windows?
Answer: Tenants are generally responsible for maintaining and cleaning both interior and exterior windows of their rental property. This maintenance helps prevent deterioration and ensures windows function properly.
How do you tell your real estate you are leaving?
Answer: Notify your landlord in writing, adhering to the notice period specified in your lease. In cases where the property becomes uninhabitable, you can terminate the lease immediately after written notification.
How much notice do you need to give a tenant to vacate in Vic?
Answer: In Victoria, landlords must provide tenants with at least 14 days’ notice for lease termination. This can be due to various reasons, such as a breach of the tenancy agreement or the need for the tenant to rectify a breach.
Is a bond clean required in Qld?
Answer: Yes, in Queensland, bond cleaning is a legal requirement for tenants at the end of their lease. This ensures the property is in good condition for the next tenant and is essential for receiving a bond refund.
